I found having 30 or so ICTS stickers stuck all over the back of my passport made the fairly pointless AA security questions asked at MAN to be expedited somewhat. The gold on the front lasts about 12 months but I am guilty or having my passport in my back pocket a lot meaning it has also taken the shape of my right bum cheek.
Surely if asked in the style "Please will you not bend it too much as the spine is about to burst," wouldn't be seen as too arsey?